Essential CV Building Tips for IMGs Pursuing PM&R Residency Success

Understanding the PM&R Residency CV Landscape as an IMG

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R), or physiatry, is a relatively small but increasingly competitive specialty—especially for international medical graduates (IMGs). Your CV is one of the first and most enduring impressions you make on program directors. It is more than a list of experiences: it is a strategic document that must clearly signal, “I understand PM&R, I am committed to this field, and I know how residency works in the U.S.”

For IMGs, an effective residency CV does three critical things:

1. Closes the information gap between your home country’s training structure and the expectations of U.S. residency programs.
2. Demonstrates genuine, sustained interest in PM&R, not a last-minute decision.
3. Highlights readiness to function in a U.S.-style clinical and academic environment.

This IMG residency guide will walk you through how to build a CV for residency in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation that is competitive, clear, and tailored to the physiatry match. It assumes you already have basic CV elements (education, work experience), and focuses on how to shape, prioritize, and present them for PM&R as an international medical graduate.

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Core Structure of a Strong PM&R Residency CV

Before focusing on content, you must nail the structure. Programs often scan dozens of CVs in minutes; a clean format and logical order make it easy for them to say “yes” to the next stage.

Essential Sections for an IMG PM&R Residency CV

A typical, well-organized CV for PM&R residency should follow this sequence:

1. Contact Information & Identification
2. Education
3. USMLE/Board Exams
4. Clinical Experience (U.S. and Home Country)
5. Research Experience & Publications
6. Quality Improvement / Projects
7. Teaching & Leadership
8. Volunteer & Community Service
9. Honors & Awards
10. Professional Memberships
11. Skills & Certifications
12. Personal Interests (optional but recommended)

Contact & Identification

Include:

• Full name (as it appears in ERAS)
• Email (professional address)
• Phone (with country code if outside U.S.)
• City, State/Province, Country
• AAMC/ERAS ID (once assigned)

Avoid adding: date of birth, marital status, photo, or personal identifiers. U.S. programs don’t require those and sometimes prefer they not be included.

Education Section

List in reverse chronological order:

• Medical school (full name, city, country)
• Degree and graduation date (or expected date)
• Class rank or percentile (if favorable and clearly defined)
• Thesis title (if applicable and relevant)

For IMGs, you may optionally state:

• “ECFMG certified (month, year)” once you achieve certification.

If your school name is not widely known, add a brief descriptor:

• “XYZ University College of Medicine, Manila, Philippines (LCME-equivalent 6-year medical program)”

This helps U.S. readers interpret your background quickly.

USMLE/Board Exams

Create a separate, short section:

• USMLE Step 1 – Pass (or numerical score if you choose to disclose and it is strong)
• USMLE Step 2 CK – score and date
• USMLE Step 3 – if taken
• ECFMG Certification – date

You don’t need explanations or commentary on scores in the CV; reserve that for personal statement or interviews if needed.

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Tailoring Your CV Specifically for PM&R

Your CV must clearly show why PM&R is the right specialty for you—and why you are right for PM&R. This is where many IMGs fall short; they have strong general credentials but vague or minimal rehabilitation-specific content.

What PM&R Programs Look for on a CV

Program directors will often look for specific signals of “fit”:

• Exposure to PM&R: electives, observerships, sub-internships, or rehab-related clinical rotations.
• Understanding of the patient population: stroke, spinal cord injury, TBI, amputees, chronic pain, musculoskeletal disorders.
• Team-based care experience: work with PT/OT/SLP, social work, case management, nursing.
• Interest in function, disability, and quality-of-life outcomes, not just disease treatment.
• Rehabilitation-related research or quality improvement projects.

As an IMG, you may come from a system where PM&R is less visible or structured differently. Your task is to map your experiences to U.S. expectations.

Highlighting PM&R Exposure on Your CV

If you have direct PM&R or rehabilitation medicine experience, create a dedicated subsection under Clinical Experience:

Clinical Experience – Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

• Clinical Elective in PM&R, XYZ University Hospital, City, State, USA
  Dates (Month Year – Month Year)
  • Rotated on inpatient stroke and spinal cord injury rehabilitation units.
  • Attended multidisciplinary rounds with physiatrists, PT/OT/SLP, and social workers.
  • Performed detailed functional assessments and contributed to rehab goal-setting.

If your experience is indirect, label it clearly but truthfully:

• Neurology Rotation with Rehabilitation Focus, ABC Medical Center, Country
  • Participated in post-stroke rehabilitation care and outpatient follow-up clinics.
  • Collaborated with physiotherapists on mobility and spasticity management plans.

Translating Non-PM&R Experiences into PM&R-Relevant Content

Many IMGs worry they lack “pure PM&R” experience. In reality, many rotations can be reframed to show a rehab mindset:

• Internal medicine: emphasize discharge planning, chronic disability management, functional goals.
• Orthopedics: emphasize post-operative rehab, mobility, fracture rehabilitation.
• Neurology: emphasize stroke rehab, gait problems, spasticity, cognitive rehabilitation.
• Primary care: emphasize chronic pain, musculoskeletal conditions, and functional limitations.

In your bullet points, use PM&R-relevant language:

Instead of:

• “Managed patients with osteoarthritis and low back pain.”

Try:

• “Evaluated patients with chronic low back pain and degenerative joint disease, focusing on functional limitations, non-opioid pain management, and early referral to physical therapy.”

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Building and Presenting Clinical Experience as an IMG

For IMGs applying to PM&R, clinical experience—especially in a U.S. setting—is often the most heavily weighted part of the CV after exam scores.

Categorizing Clinical Experience Effectively

Divide clinical experience into clear, meaningful categories:

1. U.S. Clinical Experience (USCE)
2. Home Country Clinical Experience
3. Observerships & Shadowing (if applicable)

Prioritize U.S. Clinical Experience, especially anything directly related to PM&R, neurology, orthopedics, rheumatology, pain medicine, or sports medicine.

Example Layout

U.S. Clinical Experience

• Clinical Elective – Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University Hospital, State, USA
  07/2024 – 08/2024

  • Participated in daily inpatient rehab rounds for patients with stroke, TBI, and SCI.
  • Observed botulinum toxin injections for spasticity and joint injections for pain.
  • Assisted in functional assessments and documentation using FIM/functional scales.

• Sub-internship – Internal Medicine, City Medical Center, State, USA
  09/2024 – 10/2024

  • Managed hospitalized adults with complex medical and functional limitations.
  • Coordinated discharge planning and rehabilitation referrals with case managers.

Clinical Experience – Home Country

• General Medicine Intern, XYZ Teaching Hospital, City, Country
  01/2023 – 12/2023
  • Led care of patients with stroke, spinal cord injury, and limb amputations in the general ward.
  • Organized multidisciplinary meetings with physiotherapists and social workers to optimize functional outcomes.

Strengthening Limited U.S. Experience

If you have minimal USCE, strengthen your home-country experience using PM&R-focused language and demonstrate proactive learning:

• Seek short-term observerships in PM&R departments (even 2–4 weeks).
• Attend PM&R grand rounds and conferences in the U.S. (include these under Professional Development).
• Obtain strong letters of recommendation (LoRs) from physiatrists when possible (LoRs are not part of the CV but your PM&R-oriented CV helps them write stronger letters about your fit).

Common IMG Pitfalls in the Clinical Section

Avoid:

• Overloading with very old experiences (more than 5–7 years) that are only loosely related.
• Long narrative descriptions; use 2–4 concise bullet points per entry.
• Repetitive, generic phrases like “participated in patient care” without specifics.

Instead, quantify and specify where you can:

• “Managed a daily census of 8–10 inpatients on a neurology/stroke ward.”
• “Participated in 5–10 spasticity management clinics per month.”
• “Coordinated outpatient PT/OT referrals for approximately 15 patients per week.”

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Showcasing Research, Quality Improvement, and Scholarly Work in PM&R

You do not need dozens of publications to match into PM&R, but your CV should show evidence that you understand academic medicine and continuous improvement.

Prioritizing PM&R and Neuro-Musculoskeletal Research

List research in reverse chronological order, dividing into:

• PM&R / Rehabilitation-Related Research
• Other Clinical Research

If you have any rehabilitation-related project—even small—place it prominently.

Example: PM&R-Focused Research Entry

Research Assistant – Stroke Rehabilitation Outcomes, Department of Neurology & Rehabilitation, ABC Hospital, Country
03/2023 – 12/2023

• Collected and analyzed data on functional recovery at 3 and 6 months post-ischemic stroke using standardized scales.
• Presented preliminary results at the National Neurology & Rehabilitation Conference (poster presentation).

If research is ongoing or unpublished, label it as:

• “Manuscript in preparation”
• “Data collection ongoing”

Be honest; do not exaggerate or list papers as “submitted” if they are not.

Quality Improvement (QI) Projects

PM&R programs value applicants who understand systems-based practice. Even if you lack formal research, QI projects can be powerful CV assets.

Examples of PM&R-relevant QI projects:

• Improving documentation of functional status in discharge summaries.
• Increasing rates of early PT/OT consultation for hospitalized patients with mobility limitations.
• Reducing falls in a rehabilitation or geriatric ward.

Sample QI Entry

Quality Improvement Project – Early Rehabilitation Referrals, XYZ General Hospital, Country
06/2022 – 11/2022

• Identified delays in PT referral for post-hip-fracture patients on the orthopedic ward.
• Developed and implemented a checklist prompting PT referral within 24 hours of surgery.
• Achieved a 35% increase in early rehabilitation referrals over 3 months.

These are the types of projects that PM&R faculty immediately recognize as relevant.

Case Reports, Posters, and Presentations

Don’t underestimate the value of:

• Case reports on stroke, TBI, SCI, amputations, pediatric rehabilitation, or chronic pain.
• Posters presented at national or regional PM&R, neurology, or orthopedics meetings.
• Oral presentations at hospital grand rounds.

Format consistently:

• Author(s). Title. Conference or Journal Name. Location (if conference). Date. Type (poster, oral, publication).

This academic activity signals curiosity and engagement with physiatry beyond daily clinical work.

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Leadership, Teaching, Volunteer Work, and Personalization

PM&R is deeply team-oriented and communication-heavy. Non-clinical experiences on your medical student CV can strongly influence how programs perceive your interpersonal and leadership skills.

Leadership and Teaching Experience

Highlight roles that show:

• Teamwork and coordination (e.g., organizing clinics, leading student groups).
• Teaching and mentoring (e.g., tutoring junior students, organizing anatomy or neuro review sessions).
• Advocacy related to disability, rehabilitation, chronic disease, or mental health.

Examples

• Teaching Assistant – Neuroanatomy, ABC Medical School, Country
  2019 – 2021

  • Led weekly small-group sessions for 15–20 pre-clinical students.
  • Developed case-based discussions emphasizing clinical correlations and neurorehabilitation concepts.

• Coordinator – Stroke Awareness and Rehabilitation Camp, Local NGO, Country
  2022

  • Organized a community outreach camp providing stroke education, early rehab counseling, and screening for disability.
  • Collaborated with physiotherapists and speech therapists to deliver patient workshops.

These experiences demonstrate skills that are critical to success in PM&R residency.

Volunteer and Community Service

Volunteer work can differentiate you, especially when tied to disability, rehabilitation, or chronic illness:

• Clinics for people with mobility impairments.
• Programs for amputees, spinal cord injury support groups, stroke support groups.
• Adapted sports or Special Olympics volunteering.

Make clear how your role related to functional improvement, inclusion, or quality of life, not just that you were present.

Professional Memberships and Conferences

For the physiatry match, include memberships like:

• AAPM&R (American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation) – Medical Student/Resident Member
• AAP (Association of Academic Physiatrists)
• National PM&R societies in your home country

Under “Professional Development,” list:

• Major PM&R conferences attended (even virtually).
• Workshops in EMG, musculoskeletal ultrasound, spasticity management, or pain management.

This supports the narrative that you are proactively building a career in PM&R.

Personal Interests: Making You Memorable

Well-chosen personal interests add depth and interview talking points:

• Adaptive sports, wheelchair basketball, running, yoga, sports injuries.
• Music, art, or technology in healthcare.
• Languages spoken (especially Spanish or other languages commonly used in U.S. communities).

Keep this section brief (2–4 bullet points) and sincere. Avoid controversial topics; focus on interests that show discipline, teamwork, resilience, or creativity.

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Residency CV Tips: Formatting, Style, and Strategic Refinement

Knowing how to build CV for residency is partly about what you include and partly about how you present it. The same experience can look weak or strong depending on phrasing, order, and formatting.

General Formatting Rules

• Length: 2–4 pages is typical for an IMG PM&R residency CV; avoid padding.
• Font: Professional and readable (e.g., 11–12 pt Times New Roman, Calibri, Arial).
• Consistent formatting: Same style and structure for all entries.
• Reverse chronological order in each section.

Use bullet points, not paragraphs. Each bullet should start with a strong action verb:

• Evaluated, Coordinated, Led, Developed, Analyzed, Implemented, Presented.

Prioritization and Emphasis

Remember your category: HOW_TO_IMPROVE_YOUR_CV_FOR_RESIDENCY in the RESIDENCY_MATCH_AND_APPLICATIONS phase. For PM&R as an international medical graduate, prioritize:

1. PM&R and related clinical experiences (especially in the U.S.).
2. Rehabilitation-focused research or QI.
3. Leadership and teaching that demonstrate communication and teamwork.
4. Evidence of commitment to U.S. healthcare (USCE, conferences, membership).

Move the most PM&R-relevant experiences higher within each section, even if they are slightly older, as long as the ordering remains mostly chronological.

Clarity for U.S. Readers

As an IMG, you must remove ambiguity:

• Spell out abbreviations from your home country that won’t be recognized in the U.S.
• Briefly clarify roles that may be unfamiliar (e.g., “House Officer (equivalent to U.S. internship year)”).
• Use metric and/or U.S. units clearly (kg and lb are not central to a CV, but clarity is).

Avoiding Common IMG Errors

• Overcrowding: Don’t list every single conference poster attendance or minor workshop; choose those that matter most.
• Redundancy: Avoid repeating identical tasks under multiple roles.
• Inflation: Do not overstate your responsibilities; program directors can usually tell.
• Irrelevant details: High school awards or non-healthcare jobs unrelated to transferable skills can usually be omitted unless particularly meaningful.

Aligning CV with Personal Statement and ERAS

Your CV doesn’t exist in isolation. For a coherent application:

• Ensure the timeline matches what’s entered in ERAS (no unexplained gaps).
• Emphasize the same key themes across your CV, personal statement, and interviews (e.g., interest in neurorehabilitation, commitment to functional outcomes, team-based care).
• Use your CV to support your PM&R narrative: the journey from initial exposure to sustained, informed decision.

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FAQs: CV Building for IMG Applicants in PM&R

1. How important is PM&R-specific experience compared to general clinical experience?

For the physiatry match, PM&R-specific experience is very important, but it doesn’t have to be the majority of your CV. Programs want evidence that:

• You understand what physiatrists actually do.
• You have seen the rehabilitation environment (inpatient and/or outpatient).
• You have reflected on function, disability, and quality of life.

General clinical experience (medicine, neurology, orthopedics) still matters greatly, particularly if you highlight PM&R-relevant aspects in your bullet points. Ideally, aim for at least one substantive PM&R rotation or observership, with the rest of your clinical experiences framed to reflect a rehabilitation perspective.

2. I don’t have any PM&R research. How can I still show academic interest in this specialty?

You can still build a strong residency CV by:

• Completing small QI projects related to functional outcomes, falls, early mobilization, or discharge planning.
• Writing or co-writing case reports involving stroke, spinal cord injury, TBI, amputees, or chronic pain.
• Participating in journal clubs or literature reviews on rehabilitation topics and presenting at local meetings.
• Attending PM&R conferences (virtual or in-person) and listing these under Professional Development.

You do not need a long publications list; what matters is that your academic activities align meaningfully with PM&R.

3. How should I handle gaps (like exam preparation or visa processing) on my CV?

Gaps are common for IMGs. On the CV, you can:

• List structured activities during these periods, such as observerships, research, volunteering, or academic courses.
• Use brief, clear descriptions, e.g., “Full-time USMLE Step 2 CK preparation and part-time clinical observership in internal medicine.”

If there is a pure exam-prep gap with no other activities, you do not need to itemize it as an “experience” on the CV, but be prepared to explain it succinctly in your personal statement or interviews.

4. Should I customize my CV differently if I’m also applying to internal medicine or neurology?

If you are applying broadly to multiple specialties, the safest approach is:

• Maintain one master CV but adjust the emphasis on PM&R or other specialty experiences depending on the program.
• For PM&R applications, place all rehabilitation-related experiences as high as possible and use PM&R language (function, disability, team-based care).
• Ensure your overall narrative remains coherent: applying to both PM&R and neurology, for example, can be explained through interests in neurorehabilitation and brain recovery.

However, if PM&R is your top choice, your IMG residency guide should center on presenting yourself as a future physiatrist. Your CV should clearly signal that physiatry is not a backup, but a well-informed, consistent goal.

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By approaching your CV as a strategic narrative—not just a list—you can turn your diverse experiences as an international medical graduate into a compelling, PM&R-focused profile. Start early, revise often, and ask mentors in PM&R to review your CV specifically for “fit” with physiatry. Over time, each line of your CV should help program directors see you not just as an IMG applicant, but as a future colleague in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.